From Good Work to Good Health: Employers' Role in the Health of the UK Workforce
This research project explores how employer practices can support workers’ health. We know that good health, as well as being intrinsically good, is closely related to financial security. We identify what evidence exists on the impact of specific employer actions on workers’ health, and presents new polling of UK workers on what they would most like to see in their job.
This project has two components: firstly, an analysis of polling data assessing which employer actions would have the greatest impact on low-paid workers’ health and what they would most value from employers. Secondly, a rapid evidence review identifying effective approaches to improving health outcomes.
Our polling findings:
We asked 1,500 low-paid (below the real Living Wage) workers about a number of evidence-backed actions that employers could take to support their health, and which they’d most like to see in their own work. The findings show that the measure low-paid workers care about most is being paid the real Living Wage. It stands out by a wide margin as both the measure perceived to have the greatest impact on health and the one workers most want implemented.
Other measures that respondents were most likely to expect to have a positive impact on their health are flexible work (the ability to adjust location and hours) and quality management (a manager who sets clear goals, builds trust, and creates a safe environment for raising concerns). Low-paid workers also identified enhanced pension contributions sufficient to cover basic living costs in retirement and enhanced sick pay as priorities they want from employers.
We found that low-paid workers do not exclusively prioritise the measures they cited as having the most direct effect on their health (flexible work, quality management), and instead prioritise ‘foundational’ needs – such as financial security, enhanced sick pay, and enough working hours – which indirectly support their health.
Our rapid evidence review findings:
Existing literature indicates that fair pay, job security, and sick pay are among the most strongly evidenced employer practices for supporting worker health. Low income and job insecurity are consistently linked to worse health, while access to paid sick leave improves both individual and public health outcomes. Flexible and supportive work arrangements are also associated with better health.
Many of the areas we considered were under-researched or required better quality evidence. However, the review supports the assumption that some of the well-established positive effects of higher income on health likely extend to other measures that help workers maintain a decent income throughout their lives. For example, sufficient working hours and adequate parental leave, sick pay, and an adequate pension, which function as wage replacement mechanisms.
Overall, this research tells us that there are many ways in which employers can support workers’ health and wellbeing. Our accreditations – Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension – offer one way for businesses to implement stretching standards that support worker health and align with workers’ priorities. These sit alongside other measures such as providing enhanced sick pay, or providing flexible work to those who need it.
